From law students to dental students, from freshmen to seniors, Team Pup ’N’ Suds is a different breed of flag-football team.

The unbeaten squad boasts a wide gambit of ages and experience. So far, things have progressed flawlessly.

Most of the team chemistry can be attributed to the squad’s roots. All the members are from West Des Moines, and all but one, senior Matt Hoger, attended West Des Moines Valley.

“We’ve all known each other for a long time,” senior Brian Carlson said. “We grew up together.”

From a young age, they have stuck around one another, building connections and synchronization that most squads can’t match. Team members said they work on this closeness every chance they get.

“We even practice team camaraderie by playing flippy cup,” senior Joel Ryerson said.

But that’s not the only way the team gels.

On Saturdays before Iowa football games, the team plays a pickup game of football — in an alley.

“People get bloody,” Carlson said. “It’s really competitive, so there’s lots of contact.”

Even if some disagree with the team’s bonding methods, the results are unquestionable. With a stifling defense and competent quarterback, the players compared themselves to the former Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

“We win with an amazing defense and a Trent Dilfer-like quarterback,” freshman Chris Moen said.

With that kind of murderous defense, the team is undefeated on the year and winners of its first flag-football playoff game. If the squad can win its next match, a showdown with powerhouse and defending champ UISC is a strong possibility.

“I think it would be a good challenge,” Vijay Kalra said. “To be the best, you gotta beat the best.”

The freshman doesn’t plan on shaving until the team loses. Kalra is one of a couple freshmen on Team Pup ’N’ Suds, along with Moen.

The pairs’ lack of experience hasn’t had much effect on the team or the students themselves.

For those on the team who decide to skip a class or two, some of their time gets devoted to video games.

“I definitely consider myself the best Tony Hawk 3 player at the university,” Ryerson said. “And probably the second-best Super Smash Bros. player.”

While decisions on which video game to play might not be a big deal, selecting a team name turned out to be harder than expected.

The team had a couple of alternative names lined up before settling on everyone’s favorite fake pet-grooming service.

“Table” and “Bile” were close seconds. It’s strange that Carlson and his teammates landed on Team Pup ’N’ Suds because they weren’t the only ones.

“Well, we didn’t realize that there were two Pup ’N’ Suds teams, and the other one was ranked all year, and we kept thinking it was us,” Carlson said. “Then, when a friend of ours let us in on the secret, it was kind of a downer.”